George Clooney Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at Venice Film Festival

Danny Boyle Brings Murdoch Origin Story to the Lido

Set against the backdrop of late-1960s British media, Ink traces how Murdoch and Lamb transformed a struggling newspaper into a populist tabloid designed to overtake the Daily Mirror. The film adapts James Graham’s 2017 critically acclaimed play of the same name. According to Deadline, critics praised the film as “sensational” and noted that O’Connell and Pearce delivered standout performances.

For director Danny Boyle, the premiere marked a personal milestone. Despite a career featuring films like Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, and Slumdog Millionaire, Boyle told reporters in Venice that he had never previously brought a movie to the festival, describing the opening night as his baptism on the Lido. Speaking at a press conference, Boyle emphasized that the production avoided “monsterising” Murdoch. Instead, the team framed him as a figure who introduced a fresh dynamic into a rigid society, aiming to make audiences feel complicit in the evolution of populist media.

Casting Choices and Real-World Parallels

Guy Pearce shared insights into stepping into the role of the media mogul during the Wednesday press session. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pearce revealed that he received indirect approval for the casting when Murdoch’s daughter, Elizabeth Murdoch, messaged him to say her father was very happy with the selection, even before viewing the final cut. Claire Foy co-stars in the production as reporter Jules Davies, describing her deep dive into 1960s journalism as an intoxicating experience where writers wielded immense power over public belief.

Following the screening, the evening experienced an unexpected logistical hurdle near the front of the Sala Grande when an attendee suffered a medical emergency, prompting immediate intervention from venue personnel. Festival organizers and local personnel worked to secure the area, though the individual’s condition remained unconfirmed at press time.

Golden Lion Competition and Festival Outlook

Ink stands as the first of 21 motion pictures competing for this year’s Golden Lion. The festival jury, led by Maggie Gyllenhaal, will evaluate the slate ahead of the closing ceremony on 12 September. Other anticipated titles slated to screen during the ten-day event include Robert Pattinson’s Primetime, Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine, Lee Chang-dong’s Possible Love, Florian Zeller’s Bunker, and the Gaza documentary NAZA.

The opening ceremony also featured actor George Clooney accepting an honorary Golden Lion from Laura Dern. Clooney used his remarks to address the enduring value of storytelling in the face of political and social tension, reminding attendees that shared cultural experiences remain vital fixtures in an increasingly polarized world.

Netflix has scheduled Ink for a U.S. theatrical release on 11 December, ahead of its streaming and U.K. premiere via Netflix and StudioCanal on 8 January 2027.

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